ACT Math : How to graph an ordered pair

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : How To Graph An Ordered Pair

In the standard xy coordinate plane, what quadrant(s) could point A lie in, if its x-coordinate and y-coordinate have opposite signs?

Possible Answers:

Quadrant III

Quadrants IV

Quadrant II

Quadrants I and III

Quadrants II and IV

Correct answer:

Quadrants II and IV

Explanation:

We know that right of the origin represents the positive x-direction, and above the origin represents the positive y-direction.  For Quadrant I, both the x-coordinate and y-coordinate must be positive, i.e. (+,+).  For quadrant II, the x-coordinate is negative, while the y-coordinate is positive, i.e. (+, -). For Quadrant III, both coordinates must be negative, i.e. (-, -).  For Quadrant IV, the x-coordinate is positive, and the y-coordinate is negative, i.e. (+, -).

Example Question #2 : How To Graph An Ordered Pair

Which pair of coordinates lies within quadrant II?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle (5, 2)

\displaystyle (-5, -2)

\displaystyle (-5, 0)

\displaystyle (-5, 2)

\displaystyle (0, 5)

Correct answer:

\displaystyle (-5, 2)

Explanation:

By definition, quadrant I has positive coordinates, quadrant II has \displaystyle (-x, +y) coordinates, quadrant III has negative coordinates, and quadrant IV has \displaystyle (+x, -y) coordinates, as shown by the diagram below. Only one answer choice falls within quadrant II. All others lie in other coordinates or one of the axes.

Quadrants

\displaystyle (-5, 2) - Quadrant II

\displaystyle (5, 2) - Quadrant I

\displaystyle (-5, 0) - x-axis

\displaystyle (0, 5) - y-axis

\displaystyle (-5, -2) - Quadrant III

Example Question #1 : How To Graph An Ordered Pair

In which Quadrant is the point \displaystyle (4, 3) located?

Possible Answers:

Quadrant II

Quadrant III

Quadrant I

Quadrant IV

Correct answer:

Quadrant I

Explanation:

To find out which quadrant a point lives in, we need to remember the qualities of each quadrant. By qualities, I mean the signs associated with the x and y values which are dependent on the quadrant the point resides in.

All coordinate pairs that are in Quadrant I will have a positive x value and a positive y value.

All coordinate pairs that are in Quadrant II will have a negative x value and a positive y value.

All coordinate pairs that are in Quadrant III will have a negative x value and a negative y value.

All coordinate pairs that are in Quadrant IV will have a positive x value and a negative y value.

 

For the point \displaystyle (4, 3),  we see that both the x and y coordinates are positive therefore, the point resides in Quadrant I. Another way to check, we can start from the origin and going right 4 units and up 3 units we will be in the upper-right section of the coordinate-plane, which is also known as Quadrant I.

Example Question #3 : How To Graph An Ordered Pair

Which of the following coordinate pairs is farthest from the origin?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle (1, 6)

\displaystyle (3, 4)

\displaystyle (0, 7)

\displaystyle (-1, 8)

\displaystyle (2, 5)

Correct answer:

\displaystyle (-1, 8)

Explanation:

Using the distance formula, calculate the distance from each of these points to the origin, (0, 0). While each answer choice has coordinates that add up to seven, (-1, 8) is the coordinate pair that produces the largest distance, namely \displaystyle \sqrt{65}, or approximately 8.06.

Example Question #4 : How To Graph An Ordered Pair

Which point best represents the coordinate \displaystyle (2, 6)?

Picture8

Possible Answers:

B

C

A

D

Correct answer:

D

Explanation:

To get to \displaystyle (2, 6), move right along the x-axis by \displaystyle 2, then move up on the y-axis by \displaystyle 6.

The sign in front of each number represents which direction to go on the x or y-axis starting at the origin \displaystyle (0,0). If the number is positive you go right on the x-axis or up on the y-axis. If the sign is negative then you move to the left on the x-axis or down on the y-axis.

 

Example Question #4 : How To Graph An Ordered Pair

Which point best represents the coordinates \displaystyle (-2, 4)?

Picture1

Possible Answers:

A

B

C

D

Correct answer:

A

Explanation:

The sign in front of each number represents which direction to go on the x or y-axis starting at the origin \displaystyle (0,0). If the number is positive you go right on the x-axis or up on the y-axis. If the sign is negative then you move to the left on the x-axis or down on the y-axis.

To get to \displaystyle (-2, 4), move left on the x-axis by \displaystyle 2, then move up on the y-axis by \displaystyle 4.

Example Question #3 : How To Graph An Ordered Pair

Which point best represents the coordinate \displaystyle (0,3)?

Picture2

Possible Answers:

A

B

D

C

Correct answer:

D

Explanation:

The sign in front of each number represents which direction to go on the x or y-axis starting at the origin \displaystyle (0,0). If the number is positive you go right on the x-axis or up on the y-axis. If the sign is negative then you move to the left on the x-axis or down on the y-axis.

To get to \displaystyle (0,3), only move up by \displaystyle 3 on the y-axis. Do not move along the x-axis because the x-coordinate is \displaystyle 0.

Example Question #1 : Graphing

Which point best represents the coordinate \displaystyle (2,2)?

Picture3

Possible Answers:

C

D

A

B

Correct answer:

C

Explanation:

To get to \displaystyle (2,2), move right on the x-axis by \displaystyle 2 then move up on the y-axis by \displaystyle 2.

The sign in front of each number represents which direction to go on the x or y-axis starting at the origin \displaystyle (0,0). If the number is positive you go right on the x-axis or up on the y-axis. If the sign is negative then you move to the left on the x-axis or down on the y-axis.

 

Example Question #4 : How To Graph An Ordered Pair

Which point best represents the coordinate \displaystyle (-5, -3)?

Picture4

Possible Answers:

A

C

D

B

Correct answer:

A

Explanation:

To get to \displaystyle (-5, -3), move left on the x-axis by \displaystyle 5 then move down the y-axis by \displaystyle 3.

The sign in front of each number represents which direction to go on the x or y-axis starting at the origin \displaystyle (0,0). If the number is positive you go right on the x-axis or up on the y-axis. If the sign is negative then you move to the left on the x-axis or down on the y-axis.

 

Example Question #5 : How To Graph An Ordered Pair

Which point best represents the coordinate \displaystyle (3, -1)?

Picture5

Possible Answers:

B

A

C

D

Correct answer:

B

Explanation:

The sign in front of each number represents which direction to go on the x or y-axis starting at the origin \displaystyle (0,0). If the number is positive you go right on the x-axis or up on the y-axis. If the sign is negative then you move to the left on the x-axis or down on the y-axis.

To get to \displaystyle (3, -1), move right on the x-axis by \displaystyle 3, then move down on the y-axis by \displaystyle 1.

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